Maintaining Healthy Digestion while Traveling

It can be hard to keep to your daily routine of eating healthy if you are traveling and eating out often. You’ll want to taste all the local cuisine and experience what other cultures eat daily. Sometimes the stress of traveling can even change your digestive pattern. When traveling, there are tips and tricks you can use to maintain healthy digestion and avoid catching a stomach bug. Be sure to follow these helpful hints to stay regular.

Be Careful With Raw Foods

Make sure to avoid raw foods when traveling. As tempting as it may be to try the latest local dish, this is one of the main reasons many people get sick. Be sure your food is cooked thoroughly wherever you eat and make sure to stay away from unpasteurized dairy products. If you are unsure of whether your leafy green salad may have something hitching a ride to your stomach, try to go for fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself.

Drink Bottled Water

Drink plenty of fluids while traveling. As you explore different areas it can be easy to forget to keep yourself hydrated. Drinking water and staying hydrated is the best way to prevent constipation and maintain healthy digestion. In some places, drinking water may not be safe, so drink bottled water instead. Brush your teeth with water from the bottles as well to make sure you don’t accidentally ingest any pathogens that may be in the water.

UPMC Digestive Disorders Center treats a wide variety of diseases concerning your gastrointestinal tract. To make an appointment or for more information please call 1-866-4GASTRO(442-7876) or visit UPMC.com/GI.